Method and apparatus for capturing a golf swing and fitting a golfer

ABSTRACT

An image capturing apparatus is disclosed herein. More specifically, image capturing apparatus disclosed herein will be used to help a golfer properly select a golf club utilizing a high speed camera attached to a gantry apparatus capable of adjusting its own position relative to the golfer in order to capture data of a golf swing in an iron type golf club.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to equipment used in helping thegolfer properly select a golf club that will work best for individualgolfer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a high speedcamera attached to a gantry apparatus capable of adjusting its ownposition relative to the golfer in order to capture multiple data pointsof multiple golf swing in an iron related golf club.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The game of golf has always been tied to the equipment used to play thesport. Due to this close relationship, golf equipment engineers havealways strived to make the best performing product to help the golferplay his or her best. The challenge in creating the best performingproduct for golfers lies in that every golfer has a different golfswing; and different swings often need completely different types ofgolf clubs.

In order to combat this issue, golf club designers often make differentmodels and lines of product to help satisfy the different needs of thedifferent golfers. U.S. Pat. No. 8,328,660 to Roberts et al. provides anillustration of one type of golf club head such as a muscle back ironthat includes a blade-like upper mass, a muscle-like lower mass, andrecess in the rear surface. This type of muscle back iron may generallybe suitable for a better golfer, whose consistent ball striking does notrequire additional forgiveness. On the opposite end of the spectrum,U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,718 to Salheim (Sic) illustrates a golf club headwith enlarged mass concentrations being formed to provide upperprotruberances at the heel and toe end of the ridge to help increase theforgiveness of a golf club head.

In addition to the different construction shown above, different golfersoften require different sole profiles to fit their different types ofgolf swings. The difference in sole profiles becomes more important iniron and wedge type golf club heads that consistently interact with theturf. U.S. Pat. No. 7,393,286 to Renegar illustrates one example of agolf club head that focuses on the sole of a golf club by creating acorrugates sole with one or more V-shaped cutouts in an attempt to makeone golf club sole profile fit multiple different types of golf swings.However, most modern day golf club designers recognize that the varyinggolf swings are so dramatically different; it truly necessitates adifferent sole design profile depending on the needs of the golfer.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,681 to Wood et al. provides a one of the earlierattempts to address the diverging needs of different golfers when itcomes to fitting a golfer into a correct sole profile. However, U.S.Pat. No. 6,547,681 uses an antiquated method of focusing on the divotshape ignoring numerous other factors that are essential to properlydetermining the right golf club for a golfer.

Given the current advancement in technology, one can clearly see thatthere is a need for a more accurate and more efficient way to allow agolfer to find the golf club that fits his or her needs. Hence, it canbe seen from above that the current industry needs an innovativeapparatus and method for properly fitting a golfer into the appropriategolf club, including the size, dimension, and sole profile.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is a system for capturing a golfswing comprising of a striking location to accommodate a golf ball to bestruck with a golf club, an image capturing apparatus, and a computer.The image capturing apparatus further comprising of a gantry providingstructural support to the image capturing apparatus, a plurality ofwheels attached to a bottom surface of the gantry in order to providemobility to the image capturing apparatus, a horizontal cross baradjustably attaches to a top surface of the gantry, a platformadjustably attaches to and drapes down from the horizontal cross bar,and a camera adapted to engage the platform capable of capturing atleast one performance variable, wherein the horizontal cross bar and theadjustable platform combine to allow the camera to be adjusted along atleast two axis across the image capturing apparatus. The computer isoperatively coupled to the camera, the computer further comprises of amemory for storing the at least one performance variable gathered fromthe camera, and an analyzing software for analyzing the at least oneperformance variable supplied to the computer.

In another aspect of the present invention is an article ofmanufacturing creating an image capturing apparatus comprising of agantry to provide structural support for the image capturing apparatus,a horizontal cross bar adjustably attaches to a top surface of thegantry, a platform adjustably attaches to and drapes down from thehorizontal cross bar, and a camera adapted to engage the platformcapable of capturing at least one performance variable, wherein theadjustable horizontal cross bar and the adjustable platform combined toallow the camera to be adjusted along at least two axis across the imagecapturing apparatus, and wherein the camera is a high speed cameracapable of a capture rate greater than about ,000 frames per second.

In another aspect of the present invention is a method of fitting agolfer performed by a computer comprising, allowing a golfer to addressa golf ball, adjusting a location of a gantry together with a locationof a camera to correspond with the golfer's address position, capturingat least one performance variable with said golfer's golf swing,adjusting a location of said camera to a new location corresponding withthe golfer's new address position, and analyzing the at least oneperformance variable and recommending a golf club to the golfer.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following description of the invention as illustratedin the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated herein and form a part of the specification, further serveto explain the principles of the invention and to enable a personskilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows a perspective view of a systemfor capturing a golf swing in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings shows a perspective enlarged view ofan image capturing apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 3a of the accompanying drawings shows a top view of an imagecapturing apparatus with the camera set a specific location inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3b of the accompanying drawings shows a top view of an imagecapturing apparatus with the camera set a specific location inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3c of the accompanying drawings shows a top view of an imagecapturing apparatus with the camera set a specific location inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3d of the accompanying drawings shows a top view of an imagecapturing apparatus with the camera set a specific location inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3e of the accompanying drawings shows a top view of an imagecapturing apparatus with the camera set a specific location inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings shows a simulated view of imagescaptured from the camera illustrating the impact of a golf swing;

FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings shows an enlarged view of an imagecaptured by the camera illustrating the golf club before impact with agolf ball;

FIG. 6 of the accompanying drawings shows an enlarged view of an imagecaptured by the camera illustrating the golf club right as it impacts agolf ball;

FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawings shows an enlarged view of an imagecaptured by the camera illustrating the golf club right after it impactsa golf ball.

FIG. 8 of the accompanying drawings shows a flow chart diagramillustrating the method of fitting in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description describes the best currentlycontemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is notto be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose ofillustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope ofthe invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below and each can be usedindependently of one another or in combination with other features.However, any single inventive feature may not address any or all of theproblems discussed above or may only address one of the problemsdiscussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed abovemay not be fully addressed by any of the features described below.

FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawing shows a schematic illustration of amobile image capturing apparatus 100 in accordance with the presentinvention. The mobile image capturing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 maygenerally be associated with a golfer 10, holding a golf club 20,generally hitting a golf ball 30 using an iron type golf club head 40.The golfer 10 in this current embodiment of the present invention, maygeneral start off by standing at a fixed distance that is pre-calibratedto yield the most desirable results for the camera 102 attached to theimage capturing apparatus 100. However, the distance between the golfer10 and the image capturing apparatus 100 could stay the same, or alteras the golfer 10 takes multiple golf swings, all without departing fromthe scope and content of the invention.

Before the discussion here moves onto the discussion regarding the imagecapturing apparatus 100, it is important to provide some backgroundinformation on the need for the current inventive image capturingsystem. Conventional fitting systems that involve cameras generallyinvolve a static apparatus and setup, which require the golfer to hitthe golf ball at the same spot every time. This type of setup may besufficient in a driver type fitting where the ground interaction isminimal. The big issue, as most golfers will tell you, arises when youtry to hit repeated shots on golf clubs that contact the groundextensively, such as iron type golf clubs and wedge type golf clubs. Tomake matters worse, when fitting for a sole profile of a golf club, theturf interaction becomes essential to the proper determination of theneeds of the golfer. When the turf interaction becomes a key componentof the fitting, the conventional methodology is problematic because ithas the golfer repeatedly hit golf shots off artificial turf in order toaccommodate the constraints of the conventional camera setup. Thepresent invention creates a portable image capturing apparatus that canbe moved onto a real grass type of hitting surface, and providesadditional adjustment features to completely address all of thedeficiencies of current methodologies in a single compact apparatus.

Shifting the discussion to now focus on the image capturing apparatus100 itself, FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows an image capturingapparatus 100 further comprising of a camera 102 mounted onto ahorizontal crossbar 106 attached to a gantry 104. The gantry 104 shownin FIG. 1 may generally be attached to a plurality of wheels 108,allowing the entirety of the image capturing apparatus 100 to beportable and moved from a fixed location. Finally, FIG. 1 of theaccompanying drawings shows some ancillary components that are criticalto the proper functionality of the present invention. More specifically,FIG. 1 of the accompanying shows a computer 40 receiving a tangiblecomputer readable medium containing one or more “performance variables”that can be used to determine the proper golf club for the golfer 10.Finally, FIG. 1 shows an input device 50 connected to the computer tocapture input from an operator. The input from the operator may beindependent of the “performance variables” or could be in response tothe “performance variables all without departing from the scope andcontent of the present invention.

FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawing shows an enlarged perspective view ofthe image capturing apparatus 200, shown in FIG. 1 as image capturingapparatus 100. The image capturing apparatus 200 in FIG. 2 provides acloser illustration of the relationship amongst all of the components ofthe image capturing apparatus. First and foremost, FIG. 2 shows thecamera 202 sitting on a platform 210, which allows it to be attached tothe image capturing apparatus 200. The platform 210, being attached toand dropping down from the horizontal crossbar 206; allows for thecamera 202 to move left and right within the chassis of the imagecapturing apparatus 200 itself; independent of the movement of thegantry 204 of the image capturing apparatus 200. Referring to thecoordinate system 201 shown on FIG. 2, it can be seen that the camera202 is allowed to move along the x-axis parallel to the direction of thehorizontal crossbar 206. The present embodiment of the present inventionachieves this movement by utilizing a chain belt type mechanism that isattached to the horizontal crossbar 206. However, other types ofmovement utilizing gears, tracks, or any other types of movementmechanism can all be used without departing from the scope and contentof the present invention.

The horizontal crossbar 206 shown in this embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 2 is attached at the ends to the gantry 204around the perimeter. This type of attachment allows the camera 202 tomove in a front and back orientation along a different axis thanpreviously described. Referencing the coordinate system 201, it can beseen that the camera 202 is now capable of moving along the y-axis thatis perpendicular to the direction of the horizontal crossbar 206.Similar to the discussion above, the movement of the entire horizontalcrossbar 206 along the y-axis may generally be achieved using a chainbelt type mechanism that is attached to the frame of the gantry 204.However, other types of movement utilizing gears, tracks, or any othertypes of movement mechanism can all be used without departing from thescope and content of the present invention.

In the current embodiment of the present invention, the movement of thecamera 202 along the horizontal crossbar 206 as well as the movementforward and aft along the gantry 204 may generally be accomplished usinga stepper motor that controls the movement. The stepper motor maygenerally be controlled via a remove such as a CNC pendant of a computerkeyboard that utilizes g-code communication, however, in alternativeembodiments of the present invention different types of controller maybe used without departing from the scope and content of the presentinvention.

Having a camera 202 that is capable of relative easy movement within theimage capturing apparatus 200 is critical to the present inventionbecause the current image capturing apparatus 200 is intended to be usedon real grass in conjunction with a golfer hitting iron type or wedgetype shots from realistic grassy condition. As most golfers know,hitting an iron type shot or wedge type shot will usually involvesignificant turf interaction, resulting in divots on the ground thatmakes it unsuitable for hitting the golf ball anymore. The presentinvention, in an attempt to minimize recalibration and setup timebetween each individual golf shots, allows the golfer to move to adifferent location in front of the camera 202 and adjusting the locationof the camera 202 to maintain a consistent distance between the cameraand the intended impact location.

The camera 202 shown in this exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention may generally be a high speed camera 202, capable of capturingthe high speed video of the golfer as he or she performs a golf swing.In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the high speedcamera 202 may have a frame rate of greater than about 1,000 frames per,more preferably between about 1,500 frames per second and about 6,000frames per second, and most preferably between about 2,000 frames persecond and about 6,000 frames per second.

FIGS. 3a-3e show top views of various settings or locations of thecamera 302 in accordance with different embodiments of the presentinvention, allowing the various locations of the camera 302, relative tothe base gantry 304 to be shown more clearly. FIG. 3a of theaccompanying drawings shows the camera 302 being located at acentralized location on the gantry 304. Before discussing the actuallocation of the camera 302, it is worthwhile to discuss the dimension ofthe gantry 304. In the current exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, the gantry 304 may be square in its footprint, having alength d1 and width d1 both being approximately 30 inches. This gantry302 dimension allows the camera 302 to have a travel of at least 30inches in both the x and y direction, yielding a capture range of 900inches². The 900 inches² of capture range is preferred in thisembodiment of the present invention because it allows a golfer to hitmultiple shots without having to shift the gantry 304 and recalibratethe camera 302. Given the average size of a divot being approximately 15inches², this current embodiment of the present invention will allow agolfer to hit approximately 60 shots on the high side, and about 25shots on the low side before needing to shift the gantry 304 andrecalibrate the camera 302.

Using the camera 302 that can shift and move with the golfer allows thegolfer to adjust for the divots created by an iron type golf swingallows the camera 304 to capture multiple “performance variables” fromeach golf swing. “Performance variables”, as referred to in the currentspecification, may generally include, but is not limited to angle ofattack, dynamic loft, shaft lean angle, face angle to target line, lieangle, golf ball launch angle, and golf ball spin.

This aerial top view of the gantry 304 also allows the x and y axis ofthe coordinate system 301 to be identified more clearly. In thisembodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3a , movement of thecamera 302 along the x-axis is achieved by shifting the camera 302 alongthe horizontal cross-bar 306. Meanwhile, movement of the camera alongthe y-axis involves moving the entire horizontal cross-bar 306 along thegantry 302. In this embodiment of the present invention shown, thecamera 302 is placed at a distance d2 of about 15 inches away from oneside of the gantry 304 along the x-axis, and placed at a distance d3 ofabout 17 inches away from another side of the gantry 304 along they-axis.

FIG. 3b through 3e of the accompanying drawings shows an alternativeembodiments of the present invention wherein the camera 302 can beshifted to different locations within the gantry 304 either via thex-axis using adjustments along the horizontal cross-bar 306, or via they-axis using adjustments along the gantry 304 itself. This allows themovement of the camera to adapt to the needs of the golfer to shiftpositions and take divots during their golf swing. Notice that in FIGS.3b, and 3e , the location of the camera 302 lens may be placed outsidethe footprint of the gantry 304. These placement positions are notoutside the scope of the present invention despite the fact that they donot fit entirely within the footprint of the gantry 304.

FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawing shows a schematic of an overview ofthe different conditions that a golf club 420 goes through during a golfswing. Although the camera usually focuses on individual frames, thisoverview shown in FIG. 4 provides some initial context to what an irontype golf club head 420 looks like when it interacts with the ground onan actual golf shot. First and foremost, it can be seen that on the leftside of FIG. 4, golf club head 420 is approaching the golf ball 422 froma steep angle with a significant amount of shaft 42 lean. During impact,which is depicted by the figure in the middle of the page, the golf clubhead 420 may engage the ground plane 426 by hitting down on the golfball 422 and going beneath the ground plane 426. This type of ballstriking motion may generally leave a divot 432 on the ground, makingthat specific spot less desirable to hit another golf ball 422. Finally,on the right side of FIG. 4, the golf club head 420 has completed thegolf swing and the golf ball 422 has left the striking face portion ofthe golf club head 420. It is at this point, where the shaft 424 maygenerally be substantially vertical. In order to provide a betterillustration of the individual scenarios, FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 have beenprovided here with enlarged views of the golf club heads 420.

FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings shows an enlarged view of a golfclub head 520 right before it impacts a golf ball, allowing some of the“performance variables” such as angle of attack β and shaft lean angle αto be shown more clearly. In this enlarged view of the golf club head520, we can see that before the golf club head 520 contacts the golfball, it stands above the ground plane 526, coming in at an angle ofattack β that follows the swing path 530 of the golf club head 520. Theangle of attack β of each individual golfer may differ from each otherdepending on their particular golf swing, but may generally be betweenabout −10 degrees to about −15 degrees, but could also be any othernumber depending on the golfer's golf swing. It is worthwhile to notehere that the angle β here is in the negative, which is indicative of aforward shaft lean position relative to a horizontal ground plane. Inaddition to the angle of attach, FIG. 5 also shows the shaft lean angleα as the amount of forward shaft lean the golfer demonstrates beforecontacting a golf ball. Most golfers that are hitting down on a golfball will have a shaft lean angle α of between about −6 degrees to about20 degrees, but that number could differ depending on the particulargolfer's swing to even being a negative number without departing fromthe scope and content of the present invention.

FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings also allows another one of the“performance variable” called face angle to target line, or simply knownas face angle to some in the industry. The face angle refers to theangle of the golf club head 520 as it relates to the target line, whichin this illustration of FIG. 5, is pointed to the right. Although notspecifically identified by any Greek symbols, the camera is capable ofcapturing this by focusing on the angle of the scorelines 532 relativeto either the ground plane or the shaft axis 525.

FIG. 6 of the accompanying drawings shows an enlarged view of a golfclub head 620 right as it impacts a golf ball 622. In this enlarged viewof the golf club head 620, we can see that the when the golf club head620 contacts the golf ball 622, it goes beneath the ground plane 626,creating a divot 632 in the ground. This divot 632 shown in thisembodiment of the present invention may occur slightly before impactwith a golf ball 622 This interaction with the ground 626 makes itcritical for the camera to be able to adjust its location and shift thefocus of the camera to an alternate location that doesn't contain thedivot 632. In this frame of the golf swing captured in FIG. 6, it can beseen that the angle of attack β, may still be in a downward motionfollowing swing path 630. This angle of attack β, depending on thegolfer's swing, may generally be between about −10 degrees to about −15degrees. The shaft lean angle α in this embodiment of the presentinvention may also change depending on the golfer, but may generally bebetween about −6 degrees to 20 degrees.

In addition to the above, FIG. 6 also shows another one of the“performance variable” by helping identify the dynamic loft ρ. Dynamicloft ρ may generally relate to the loft of the golf club head 620relative to a vertical plane. This dynamic loft ρ, which occurs during agolf swing, is generally different from the actual static loft of thegolf club head 620 because dynamic loft ρ includes other variables suchas shaft lean angle α, swing path 630 amongst numerous other variables.In this image captured in FIG. 6, the static loft of the golf club head620 may be about 60 degrees, but the dynamic loft ρ may be less due tothe forward shaft lean angle α, yielding a dynamic loft ρ of about 45degrees.

FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawings shows an enlarged view of a golfclub head 720 after it has impacted the golf ball 722. In this enlargedview of the golf club head 720, we can see that after the impact withthe golf ball 722, the golf club head 720 leaves a divot 732 on theground, and begins travelling in an upward direction. In this frame ofthe golf swing captured in FIG. 7, the angle of attack θ a positivenumber to represent that the golf club head is heading in an ascendingpath, more specifically between about 10 degrees and 20 degrees. Apositive path generally mean that the golf club head is traveling alonga swing path 730 that is now in an upward motion. Finally, the shaftlean angle in this embodiment is generally 0 degrees at some pointduring the moments after the impact.

In this FIG. 7 provided by the accompanying drawings, the camera 720 iscapable of capturing even more information relating to the “performancevariable”. More specifically, in FIG. 7, the golf ball 722 launch angleand the golf ball 722 spin can also be captured by the camera 720 duringthe execution of a golf swing.

FIG. 8 of the accompanying drawing provides a flow diagram of how theimage capturing apparatus works in conjunction with the camera togenerate the images shown in FIG. 5 through FIG. 7 to help fit a golferusing the golfer's “performance variables”. The golfer is first allowedto address a golf ball, wherein a reference point will be given to setup and adjust the location of the gantry. The location of the gantry,which serves as the base for the image capturing apparatus, is riding onwheels, which allows it to be mobile and adaptable to the setup locationwhere the golfer has decided to address the ball. Once the location ofthe gantry is determined, the next step in the diagram allows for finetune adjustment of the camera sitting on a platform on the gantry to aninitial position. This fine tune adjustment, as described earlier,allows the golfer to take multiple iron type golf swings without theneed for a complete recalibration and movement of the gantry. After theadjustment of the location of the camera in the initial position, therecording can begin manually by using an input device that is connectedto a computer. Alternatively, in a more preferred scenario, therecording can be initiated by using a sound trigger. Once the recordingis complete, the flowchart illustrates two different options dependingon whether additional data points are desired. If no additional datapoints are desired, the recorded video of the golfer is analyzed forperformance variables. However, if additional data points are desired,the golfer may address the golf ball at a new location, and the locationof the camera within the gantry may be adjusted accordingly to bealigned with the new location of the golf ball.

Other than in the operating example, or unless otherwise expresslyspecified, all of the numerical ranges, amounts, values and percentagessuch as those for amounts of materials, moment of inertias, center ofgravity locations, loft, draft angles, various performance ratios, andothers in the aforementioned portions of the specification may be readas if prefaced by the word “about” even though the term “about” may notexpressly appear in the value, amount, or range. Accordingly, unlessindicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in theabove specification and attached claims are approximations that may varydepending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by thepresent invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit theapplication of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims,each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of thenumber of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary roundingtechniques.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forththe broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numericalvalues set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely aspossible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certainerrors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in theirrespective testing measurements. Furthermore, when numerical ranges ofvarying scope are set forth herein, it is contemplated that anycombination of these values inclusive of the recited values may be used.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the present invention and that modificationsmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for capturing a golf swing comprising: astriking location to accommodate a golf ball to be struck with a golfclub; an image capturing apparatus further comprising; a gantryproviding structural support to said image capturing apparatus; aplurality of wheels attached to a bottom surface of said gantry in orderto provide mobility for said image capturing apparatus; a horizontalcross bar adjustably attaches to a top surface of said gantry; aplatform adjustably attaches to and drapes down from said horizontalcross bar; and a camera adapted to engage said platform capable ofcapturing at least one performance variable, wherein said adjustablehorizontal cross bar and said adjustable platform combine to allow saidcamera to be adjusted along at least two axis across said imagecapturing apparatus, a computer operatively coupled to said camera, saidcomputer further comprising, a memory for storing said at least oneperformance variable gathered from said camera; and analyzing softwarefor analyzing said at least one performance variable supplied to saidcomputer.
 2. The system claim 1, wherein at least one performancevariable comprises at least one of an angle of attack, a dynamic loft, ashaft lean, a face angle, a lie angle, a golf ball launch angle, and agolf ball spin.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said at least oneperformance variable is used to recommend a golf club head for a golfer.4. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least two axis across saidimage capturing apparatus are perpendicular to each other.
 5. The systemof claim 4, wherein said adjustment of said horizontal cross bar isachieved via a chain belt type mechanism.
 6. The system of claim 5,wherein said adjustment of said platform is achieved via a chain belttype mechanism.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein said gantry has awidth of about 30 inches and a length of also about 30 inches.
 8. Anarticle of manufacturing creating an image capturing apparatuscomprising: a gantry providing structural support to said imagecapturing apparatus; a horizontal cross bar adjustably attaches to a topsurface of said gantry; a platform adjustably attaches to and drapesdown from said horizontal cross bar; and a camera adapted to engage saidplatform capable of capturing at least one performance variable, whereinsaid adjustable horizontal cross bar and said adjustable platformcombine to allow said camera to be adjusted along at least two axisacross said image capturing apparatus, and wherein said camera is a highspeed camera capable of a capture rate of greater than about 1,000frames per second.
 9. The article of manufacturing of claim 8, whereinsaid camera has a capture rate of between about 1,500 frames per secondto about 6,000 frames per second.
 10. The article of manufacturing ofclaim 9, wherein said camera has a capture rate of between about 2,000frames per second to about 6,000 frames per second.
 11. The article ofmanufacturing of claim 10, said adjustment of said horizontal cross baris achieved via a chain belt type mechanism.
 12. The article ofmanufacturing of claim 11, wherein said adjustment of said platform isachieved via a chain belt type mechanism.
 13. The article ofmanufacturing of claim 12, wherein said adjustment of said cameracaptures multiple golf swings creating multiple unique divots.
 14. Amethod of fitting a golfer performed by a computer comprising: allowinga golfer to address a golf ball; adjusting a location of a gantrytogether with a location of a camera to correspond with said golfer'saddress position; capturing at least one performance variable with saidgolfer's golf swing; and adjusting a location of said camera to a newlocation corresponding with said golfer's new address position; andanalyzing said at least one performance variable and recommending a golfclub to said golfer.
 15. The method of fitting of claim 14, wherein saidstep of capturing at least one performance variable within said golfer'sgolf swing is triggered by a sound input.
 16. The method of fitting ofclaim 14, wherein said step of capturing at least one performancevariable within said golfer's golf swing is triggered by a manual input.